"Mickey Isn't the Only Animal At WDW!" Hunting for Disney Critters 1/23/12-1/30/12

[DisneyKira]

For those of you following me over from my honeymoon TR, Hi there! I can't believe I get to go to Disney again!

For those of you just meeting me, hello and welcome! Thanks for joining us! Before I introduce my family, let me explain the PTR title. On our last Disney trip, my husband and I found a large number of animals just hanging around the parks. Frogs, toads, anoles, geckos, turtles, egrets and other critters call WDW home. On our next trip, we hope to find even more cool animals.


So my pre-trip report for my disneymoon is here and my disneymoon TR is here. I haven't finished my TR yet. I still have to talk about our last day. I have been procrastinating because finishing my disneymoon TR means admiting that it is over . But now that I have a new trip to look forward to, I should be finishing my trip report soon

My husband and I got married a few months ago . We left for Disney the day after our wedding. We had such an amazing time, that my husband "bought" me a Disney trip for our birthday (yes, we have the same birthday). We haven't booked anything yet, but we plan on staying at Pop Century 1/23/12-1/30/12. This is bound to change, so just bear with me.


My husband and I are 21-years-old. We live in Washington State with our cat, leopard gecko, 2 corn snakes, king snake, ball python, pacman frog, mice, african clawed frogs, and pacific giant salamander. Here are a few pictures of our pets.

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Here are a few photos from our last Disney trip:

So that is my not-so-little intro. I will try to update often and I will try not to bore you too much . Thanks for reading!

 

[KatMark]

I'm here...great intro Kira. I love the pic of you two in front of the castle.

If you have time, my new TR is linked in my signature.

 

[ronnmel]

I'm first!

ETA. Guess not. Second is fine too.

 

[tankgirl427]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! We're going to miss eachother by 8 days! I'll be there in January until the 15th.

If you are like your mom maybe you'll have a change of dates????

It would be awesome to meet you too!

 

[DisneyKira]

I'm here...great intro Kira. I love the pic of you two in front of the castle.

If you have time, my new TR is linked in my signature.

I noticed that today. I was just about to head over there

I'm first!

ETA. Guess not. Second is fine too.

Second is awesome. Welcome! Oh, and congrats again on your pregnancy!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! We're going to miss eachother by 8 days! I'll be there in January until the 15th.

If you are like your mom maybe you'll have a change of dates????

It would be awesome to meet you too!

Oh, I might end up changing it. It would be nice to meet you.

 

[swwake]

I'm here Kira!

 

[DisneyKira]

I'm here Kira!

Hi!

 

[DisneyKira]

So I want your opinions on this dilemma. Josh and I really want to go in February or January. However, we recently found out that Fantasmic isn't going to have any shows when we want to go. Well, I was okay with that. But then I found out that they are also closing down Big Thunder Mountain! Josh and I reeeeeeally love that ride. I don't know if I want to change our dates just because of one ride and a show. What do you think?

We haven't booked anything yet because of this little hiccup. I know we need to book soon.

 

[archdandy]

So I want your opinions on this dilemma. Josh and I really want to go in February or January. However, we recently found out that Fantasmic isn't going to have any shows when we want to go. Well, I was okay with that. But then I found out that they are also closing down Big Thunder Mountain! Josh and I reeeeeeally love that ride. I don't know if I want to change our dates just because of one ride and a show. What do you think?

We haven't booked anything yet because of this little hiccup. I know we need to book soon.

I would say that you shouldnt not go because of a couple of attractions. There are so many other reasons to go to Disney! That's just my opinion though. Also if your looking at book for January or Febuary 2012 you should probably do it soon. We just booked out January 2012 trip a couple weeks ago and the availability of rooms in the Moderates and Values was filling up quickly even then.

Congrats on getting married! Me and DH just got married in June as well. I'm 22 and he's 25 and we went to Disney for our honeymoon as well! So I know what its like to be young and married, haha.

 

[ronnmel]

From what I've noticed, every January-February there are several attractions and shows closed for refurb. They'll always do refurbs at times of lower crowds, it makes more sense that way.

So think about what you really want : all attractions open, or lower crowds? Since you've gone often in your life and will probably go often again, I'd chose lower crowds. It'll give you the chance to try new things, and a reason to come back.

 

[KatMark]

Kira, I just booked a "girls" trip for January 26 - 31. I realize that Big Thunder and Dumbo will be closed (and I'll be traveling with a 5 and 7 year old), but there is so much other stuff to do. And if you waited for Big Thunder you'd have to wait until the end of May!

I'd go for the dates you want to go; there is always something down at any given time of year.

 

[DisneyKira]

I would say that you shouldnt not go because of a couple of attractions. There are so many other reasons to go to Disney! That's just my opinion though. Also if your looking at book for January or Febuary 2012 you should probably do it soon. We just booked out January 2012 trip a couple weeks ago and the availability of rooms in the Moderates and Values was filling up quickly even then.

Congrats on getting married! Me and DH just got married in June as well. I'm 22 and he's 25 and we went to Disney for our honeymoon as well! So I know what its like to be young and married, haha.

Congrats on getting married!

From what I've noticed, every January-February there are several attractions and shows closed for refurb. They'll always do refurbs at times of lower crowds, it makes more sense that way.

So think about what you really want : all attractions open, or lower crowds? Since you've gone often in your life and will probably go often again, I'd chose lower crowds. It'll give you the chance to try new things, and a reason to come back.

Yeah. We decided to just go in January. Missing a few rides isn't going to kill us. But the low crowds will be nice

Kira, I just booked a "girls" trip for January 26 - 31. I realize that Big Thunder and Dumbo will be closed (and I'll be traveling with a 5 and 7 year old), but there is so much other stuff to do. And if you waited for Big Thunder you'd have to wait until the end of May!

I'd go for the dates you want to go; there is always something down at any given time of year.

I can't believe they are closing thunder mountain for so long! But I am sure we will have an amazing time in January. Even if we have to miss Josh's favorite ride.

 

[DisneyKira]

So we officially booked our trip for January! We are staying at Pop from 1/23/12-1/31/12. We upgraded to the regular dining plan, so we will get to pick 8 ADRS! I am going to start making them today. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[KatMark]

So we officially booked our trip for January! We are staying at Pop from 1/23/12-1/31/12. We upgraded to the regular dining plan, so we will get to pick 8 ADRS! I am going to start making them today. I'll keep you all posted.

I will have to keep an eye out for you (I am there the 26th and come home on the 31st).

 

[ronnmel]

Yay! for booking!

 

[DisneyKira]

I will have to keep an eye out for you (I am there the 26th and come home on the 31st).

Awesome

Yay! for booking!

I know! I am so happy

 

[DisneyKira]

So here is a rough outline of our trip. I still need to make about half of our dining ressies.

1/23:Arrive

1/24: MK 9-8
Lunch: QS in MK
Dinner: Kona @ 8 (already made ADR)

1/25: Epcot 9-9. Illuminations at 9.
Lunch: QS in Epcot
Dinner: Coral @ 7 (already made ADR)

1/26: AK 9-5. Hop to DTD after park closes.
Lunch:????
Dinner: Earl of Sandwich

1/27: HS. 9am-7pm. Hop to Epcot (open until 12am).
Lunch: Starring Rolls
Dinner: ????

1/28: EP 9am-9pm. We may also go to EMH at HS 8-9am (if we didn't go on TSM the day before)
Lunch: QS in World Showcase
Dinner: Teppan Edo

1/29:MK. 9am-12am. Parade at 3:30. Wishes at 8.
Lunch: QS in MK
Dinner: Tony’s @ 6:05 pm (already made ADR)

1/30: AK. 8-5. parade@ 3:45 Possible hop to HS (open until 10)
Lunch:???
Dinner: Yak and Yeti

1/31:HS in the morning. Fly home in the evening.
Lunch: QS in HS


See how many ADRS I still need? I have planned 7/8 of our QS credits and 5/8 of our TS credits (I haven't made all of the ADRs yet). We do have a park hopper so we are able to go to a different park for dinner/lunch. However, I want to focus on one park a day (I don't want to "hop" back and forth more than a few times).

Our first two days are all good. Originally, I was going to try to get a lunch ressie at Le Cellier for the first day in Epcot but that doesn't look like it is going to happen. I don't think I will be able to get a lunch ressie there at all. We are just too close to the trip. I'll keep my eyes open but it doesn't seem very likely that a ressie will open up. I may try to call Disney later and do the reservation over the phone instead. But I won't be heartbroken if we can't go to Le Cellier. It kinda sucked the last time I went.

Anyway, I have to go to Oregon today with Josh (he has to deliver a car for work). We should probably get going. If anyone has any suggestions or revisions for my trip, let me know. I seriously need suggestions for our last 3 TS credits. TTFN!

 

[KatMark]

Kira, looking at your schedule, I will be at Epcot in the evening on the 27th and at the MNK in the evening of the 29th...so perhaps we will run into each other.

Have you ever done Rose & Crown at Epcot? We really like it there. We used to like Biergarten, but we felt the food quality went down when we ate there last year.

For the Studios, I would suggest Sci Fi or Mama Melrose. We've always had good meals at Mama Melrose and although not oustanding food, Sci Fi does have great onion rings and shakes and a cool atmosphere.

 

[tankgirl427]

Noooooooooooooooooo! Change your dates to be there when I'm there! Then I'd get to meet everyone but Zach! Maybe push your dates up a few days so you get to see me and Kathy?

 

[shocky5]

Checking in! Ready and waiting to hear about the fun trip you and Josh will have! I so love your animal reporting - I can't wait to look for them to show my boys (without touching because they aren't as gentle as you are nor is there anyway I could remember which to touch and which not... )